The Quest of Time: Now or Never

First of all I want to thank everyone who read, reviewed and put this story on their story alert and favourite list.

I want to personally thank Rhea, Kim, Gubbs, Geril, somebunnyelse, Fyreheart, Kantiss, Eloise, honuangel, Irene Blake, Princess Eclipse and Elizabeth's and Darcy's Daughter. You guys rock, thanks for your reviews and please keep them coming they definitely make me want to update faster and make me write a better story.

I just want to mention that I really enjoyed writing this chapter. Many people earlier commented about Lizzie's rude behaviour and I tried to explain it in this chapter. Hope you guys like this chapter.

Please, please, please review, I really want to know what you think, it makes me so happy to read your reviews. Enough rambling, enjoy the chapter.


Chapter 8

The sun was almost setting, hiding under the horizon, Lizzie saw the sky went from red to black and the evening gradually turned into dark night, there was no moon on the clear sky, how different that night was from the unfortunate last night. She was terrified at her wit's end with the turn of events but was trying to be calm and collective so that she could find her way back to her home, but sadly for her, she lose her cool every time she was around one Fitzwilliam Darcy. He subconsciously or according to Lizzie, deliberately was pushing all her buttons making her angry and mad.

Lizzie took a deep breath and concentrated working on her tent, it was almost done, her shelter for the night. It was good thing, with her equipments for the research project she was also carrying lots of supplies and camping equipments. All the things like the tent, sleeping bags, flash light and tools were coming handy. After erecting the tent, Lizzie concentrated on the fire. She had collected lots of dry woods from the forest and wanted to light a big fire which lasted whole night in fear of wild animals, she wasn't sure what kind of creatures resided in the forest.

The flames were bright and dancing in the wind in front of her, Lizzie sighed and took her seat near the fire. The night was cold, Lizzie zipped her jacket and finally the severity of the situation hit her, what if she couldn't find her way back, what if she was struck in the nineteenth century forever, what will she do without her family, friends and Chris? Lizzie shook her head, she didn't want to get depressed and freak out thinking of such things. Suddenly she heard a clear sound of hoofs. She stood with a jerk, grabbed a long stick and her stun gun as a weapon. She didn't want to admit it, but she was little scared, were there robbers and bandits in the dark forest in nineteenth century? She tried to recall the stories of Robinhood and what century the stories took place.

A tall man appeared from the darkness holding the strap of his horse; Lizzie couldn't figure out the face in the darkness, she could only see a distinct shape of a man. When the man stepped closer, she finally saw who it was in the light of fire and exhaled a deep breath with relief, she didn't realize she was holding a breath in the first place.

As soon as Lizzie saw Mr. Darcy, she released her defensive position, placed her hands to her side, still firmly holding the stick and the stun gun. She asked astonishingly, "What are you doing here Mr. Darcy?"

"I want to ask you the same question Miss Bennet." Darcy answered with rage.

Lizzie took a step back instinctively looking at the furious expression on Darcy's face, what had she done now, he was looking at her like she had committed a felony. She was angry at him too, the man just wouldn't leave her alone. Temper taking her control, she answered sarcastically, "Playing football, what do you think?"

"Do you think this is the right time to jest? I was so worried for you. It is such an inappropriate behaviour to venture into the night without even telling your host where you were going." Darcy added furiously taking a step closer to Lizzie.

"Didn't you get my message? I asked Anne to tell you if you asked for me that I have some work to do and not to get worried." Lizzie said innocently, this only aggravated Darcy's anger. How could she act so innocent after everything she had put him through?

"Oh, I received your message alright. But you forgot to mention where you were going." Darcy said frustratingly looking at her.

Lizzie rolled her eyes and said, "I didn't forget. I just thought it wasn't necessary for her to know where I was going, and if I had told her, she would have thought I was crazy."

"What about me? You could have at least made the courtesy to mention it to me." Darcy said annoyingly taking another step closer to her, that woman would soon drive him insane with all her eye rolling.

"I didn't want to disturb you." Lizzie defended herself and then added as an afterthought "What surprises me is how you found me?" and crossed her arms around her.

Darcy only shook his head in disbelieve at her answer, she was scared to disturb him, instead she made him more anxious with sudden departure. He replied hastily "I had a notion where you would be, there are not many places you are familiar with and I knew you would be here."

"Huh, smart!" Lizzie said nodding her head and giving Darcy a half smile.

Darcy shrugged and said with a grudge "What I do not understand is what are you doing here in the night, do you have any perception of how dangerous this is?

"Oh my God, are there wild animals in the woods? I knew it, I heard something when I was picking the woods and I thought I was being paranoid, I was hearing stuffs." Lizzie jumped next to Darcy and was looking around deep into the shadows of the trees with fear in her eyes.

It was Darcy's turn to roll his eyes, he could not figure this woman out, she came into the forest in the middle of night without giving a single thought of her safety and now she was concerned about wild animals. "No, there are no wild animals in this part of the woods." Darcy answered impatiently looking at her.

"What about robbers and bandits who steal from the rich and give to the poor? Cause I can bet I heard something earlier." Lizzie still looked around but the trace of fear vanished from her face.

"No, this is a protected land and such foul people do not reside in this part of the Derbyshire. I am sure you must have heard some small animal." Darcy said stiffly. He wondered if the woman was so worried, why she even came there.

"What about the native of these woods called 'The Others' who kill anyone who trespasses on their land or crazy giant smoke monsters?"

"What are you talking about?" Darcy gave Lizzie a quizzical look at her wild imagination and then noticed than she was giving a mischievous grin and he realised that she was pulling his leg. He gave her an angry glare, the will of her, she was making jokes when he was so worried for her safety.

"There is a time for jest and time to be serious, Miss Bennet." Darcy said with a disregard.

"Sorry, couldn't help a 'Lost' joke. You wouldn't understand." Lizzie said with a smile, tugging her jacket and making circles with her foot in the ground.

Darcy only stared at her, he was angry but amused at the same time, the woman was lost in time, was scared and alone in the woods and still had the affinity to find humour in tough situation and laugh. He realized she definitely had a pretty smile and her eyes lit up when she was in amusing mood.

"What are you doing here in the first place, Miss Bennet?" Darcy said hurriedly looking away from her eyes, they were making him uncomfortable. He also took a step away from her and stiffly stood near the fire and looked around. He noticed the tent in bright blue colour at one side, he wondered how quickly and without any help she managed to construct a shelter and start a fire.

"Waiting for that damn portal to open again so that I could return home." Lizzie said gritting her teeth.

Darcy flinched a little at her cursing; he would have to caution her for her vocabulary and use of inappropriate words. She was in his time now and such behaviour was unwelcome. He said haughtily, "And how can be you certain that the portal will open again?"

"I just hoped this would be a twenty-four hour fluke, and tonight the portal will open again at the same time and same place. And this damn nightmare will be over and I'll go back home" Lizzie said with a sigh and sting in her voice, she looked at the burnt ground where her car crashed from twenty first century and left a distinct mark. She was desperately wishing the portal to open again and she would jump right into it and all that would be over like a bad dream.

"And what if it does not open tonight, what will you do then?" Darcy asked.

Lizzie looked at him, plopped on the ground and said dejectedly "I've no idea, what I'll do next but it doesn't hurt to wait here and try."

"Are you implying that you will stay here in the woods whole night?" Darcy asked awkwardly.

"Yeah, if that what it takes. Why else do you think I was here, did you think I fancied a walk in deep woods at night like a Banshee?" Lizzie said cynically, does that man understand anything at all.

Lizzie's sarcastic remarks were making Darcy angrier, he practically spat his words "But it is unsafe and inappropriate for us to spend the night in the woods like this."

Lizzie jumped to her feet and angrily said "Who the hell asked you to stay here? If you are so sacred and worried, just go back to your home and sleep in your big warm bed."

Darcy lost his cool and said clenching his fist and giving Lizzie a deathly glare "You first think and realize who you are talking to in such rowdy manner. I came here to look for you, make sure you were safe and this is how you are behaving? You are acting in very inconsiderate manner, Miss Bennet."

"Oh, save it. Nobody asked you to come after me. You are a control freak and you are here to boss me around." Lizzie answered furiously at his accusation. She never liked Darcy from the first time she saw him and was sure that his nineteenth century's narrow mindedness was not letting him see a woman make her decisions and do what she wanted to do. That was the reason he was there, to control her but she was stubborn too, she would not let a male chauvinist dictate her.

"I can see my mistake now, I was wrong to think of your well being. You do not care for anyone's regards and are disrespectful to people's feelings. This might be the way people behave in your time but in this time we are respectful and civil. Since you are in this time, you could learn few things." Darcy said arrogantly.

Lizzie finally realized what he was talking about; she was over reacting and freaking out and getting her anger and frustration out at the man standing in front of her. She took some deep breaths and counted slowly till ten in her mind. She didn't like Mr. Darcy but knew he was right, she was behaving selfishly.

She calmly said without showing her guilt in her voice "Please Mr. Darcy, give me a break, cut me few slacks here. I've been ripped apart from my world, family, friends and loved ones and thrown not only into a strange place but also in a stranger time. Give me atleast a day to freak and act out crazily. I know if it were you in my place, if you would have been thrown into twenty first century, I would have given you atleast a month to freak out and then started to yell at you."

Darcy heard Lizzie and grasped what she was telling. She was right, she was scared, lost and lonely and such people do behave differently. He was being impatient and was expecting her to behave according to his standards, his liking and he did not even care what she was feeling. He silently stared at her, he did not know what to say at such revelation from her.

Lizzie saw Darcy staring at her silently, she knew he didn't like what she said so she stood little straighter, pulled herself to her height and said with all dignity, "Don't worry. I'll not cause you anymore problems. I'll get my bags first thing in the morning and you'll never see me again. Thanks for everything."

"No, no. I do not wish you to leave my home." Darcy said a little too hastily at her plan of moving out. "I want to help you and stay as long as you want." He added politely.

"No, it's alright. I can see you clearly don't like me. It's best for both of us if I move out and we don't see each other anymore." Lizzie said with a small smile.

Darcy looked surprised by the thing she said, he embarrassingly said "No, it is not that I do not like you. It is only that I do not approve of certain things you do."

"Like what?" Lizzie asked.

Darcy looked at her and thought how to put what he wanted to say in appropriate words. He said stiffly, "I do not understand why you have to curse so much or at all."

Lizzie simply laughed at it and said "I curse so much because I found out earlier in life that it's easier to take life's disappointment and problems if you could swear at it." Darcy was little taken aback at her answer, it was wrong but true at the same time.

"Anything else you don't like about me?" Lizzie probed watching Darcy amusingly.

Darcy hesitated for a moment and then replied "Sometimes when you talk, you shout and make inappropriate remarks."

"Hey, I accept that sometimes I overreact but I also know that it's easier to deal with stupid people with sarcasm than punching them on their face for their stupidity." Lizzie said dejectedly.

Darcy was angry with that remark, was Lizzie implying that he was stupid, how she dare say such things about him. "Such behaviour from a respectable women are improper and unacceptable, Miss Bennet," Darcy said heatedly.

Lizzie also raised her voice and said "Screw the propriety, I can count ten times today you shouted at me and make sarcastic comments. This is plain hypocrisy and sexism, men can do anything and women have to be all mild and coy. What kind of society is that?"

"What about the indecent clothes you are wearing? You cannot wear such clothes here, you should wear a proper women's dress and clothing, not men's trouser and tunic." Darcy recoiled his attack on Lizzie.

"My clothes are decent and respectable. It's not like I'm wearing a mini skirt and showing any skins. I'm all covered up, from toe to neck." Lizzie lashed tugging her jacket close to her. How dare he say she was wearing vulgar clothes, she was wearing a jeans, full sleeved t-shirt and jacket on top of it. Does he want her to wrap herself in a sheet and cover herself from top to bottom like a Halloween ghost, she hated his double standards.

"What about your short hair and why is it blue in some places?" Darcy pointed, no one was backing out from this fight and they were shouting at each other like couple of twelve years old.

Lizzie was horrified by his comment on her hair, she loved her hair, and he had gone too far by attacking her hair. "These are called highlights you fashion retarded ignorant. I love this colour and I think it gives my hair some personality, like you would understand that." Lizzie said annoyingly running her fingers on her short neck length hair with soft curls and midnight blue highlights. She wondered how he could even see that colour in the dark.

"I am not an ignorant, I have never seen such colour in a society women's hair. It looks more like gypsy women would do such things." Darcy said with disgust.

"Oh, now I get it. You don't like the way I talk, I walk, the clothes I wear, the way I look or even the way I breathe or live. This is your way of getting back at me for punching you in the morning. I hurt your male ego and pride and this is how you are getting back at me, by saying everything I do is wrong and I'm ugly. It's cheap... very cheap trick. Why don't you just punch me on the face and get it over with." Lizzie said strongly taking a step in front of him glaring him with disgust. How much she hated that man at that instant, that arrogant, conceited, criticizing jerk.

Darcy went a little numb at her accusation, how could she think he was still holding a grudge against her, he stiffly and authoritatively said, "I am not saying these things because of the unfortunate incident in the morning. And it is repulsive to even think that I will lay a finger on you. I am only pointing out that your twenty first century customs and behaviour is not appropriate at this time and you should behave according to the time you are living in and not on your own selfish interest."

"Gee, thanks a lot for your concern." Lizzie said sarcastically and stepped away from him. She didn't want to talk to him, fight with him and even look at him anymore. She moved to the opposite corner of the fire, away from his straight view and sat on the ground all angry and furious. Who does he think he was, telling her what to do, he was worse than her ever-controlling mother, he was acting like an old, stiff school principal. She waited for him to take the cue and leave her alone, she made her mind, she could not and she would not live with him for even a day.

Darcy saw Lizzie sitting opposite to him, he was very angry at her, he wanted to leave that place and not stay in her company for a single second, and he had never said she was ugly or everything she did was wrong. He was fascinated by her and thought she had pretty eyes, but everything he said, she took it in wrong context and lash out at him. He was at his wit's end to think of something to make amends with her but could not think of anything. He thought of leaving her there alone, he was not responsible for her and he did not care for her. He looked around for his horse ready to leave and then saw that the night was too dark, he would not be able to find his way back through the woods in the dark without proper path and illumination.

He also sat dejectedly on the ground now frustrated at himself because of his twisted decision to stay. He said to himself that he was only staying because he did not want to get lost in the woods, it had nothing to do with leaving Lizzie alone and unprotected in the woods all by herself.

Two hours passed in silence, Lizzie was calmed down but was frustrated by Darcy who was not leaving her alone, but at the back of her mind she was grateful for his presence. She was hungry and looked for her bag pack, she had some food in there. She rose from her place and got her bag from the tent and from the corner of her eyes she could see Darcy leaning against an old broken tree trunk staring at the fire with blank expression on his face, it looked like he was thinking very hard.

She felt bad looking at him like that, the man was right, he was doing so much for her and instead of being grateful she was fighting with him. She realized he was also right at saying that as long she was in nineteenth century she should live according the customs and norms of that time and not expect people to accept her for her weird twenty first century behaviour. She gulped her pride and tried not to remember everything Darcy had said about her because if she did, she would again feel furious and get angry at him, instead she tried to concentrate at his good characters, no matter how few and little it was, she focused that he was helpful and was there even if he didn't had to.

Lizzie quietly made her way to Darcy who was still staring into the fire, deep in his thoughts. She cleared her throat to make her presence noticed and Darcy came out of this deep trench of oblivion. He looked up and saw Lizzie standing next to him trying to smile but he could see she was failing at it.

He only stared at her and then saw her get something out from the bag and she was holding an apple in front of him and said politely "I thought you might be hungry because I know I am."

Darcy still stared at her, what was with her, she changed her behaviour as England's weather. She was still giving him an expectant look so he nodded politely and took the apple. He waited for her to leave but to his surprise she sat next to him, so he sat a little straighter in response.

Lizzie started to get all the food out from her bag, fruits, bread, water and something which looked like marmalade, she thanked Anne silently and was watching Darcy through her peripheral vision. He didn't look angry, it gave her a little courage and she started the conversation.

"Mr. Darcy, I wanted to say I'm sorry for the way I reacted earlier. It was rude and I lost my control and overreacted." Lizzie explained herself calmly offering him some more food and water.

Darcy moved awkwardly at his place and was definitely surprised by her sudden change in tone. "I am sorry too, Miss Bennet. It was inappropriate to say such things to you. I acted impatiently." He apologised too, as long as Lizzie was being polite and honest he decided he should be too. For the past two hours he was thinking about the things she said to him, running her words over and over in his head. Was he really proud, arrogant, controlling and hypocrite? He begged to differ but it definitely was not his best day.

"Glad we cleared that out. Here, have some bread." Lizzie smiled and offered him the food. They both ate in complete silence. No one said another word, Darcy was waiting for Lizzie to say something but she didn't want to jinx the truce and kept quiet to avoid anymore arguments.

When the short and quiet dinner was over, Lizzie grabbed the bag and kept it in the tent and then said to Darcy who was staring at her "You can sleep in the tent, if you want."

Darcy was little perplexed and then realized what she said and asked uncomfortably "Where will you sleep then?"

"I'm not going to sleep, I'll keep an eye out for that portal or wormhole. God forbid if I miss it." Lizzie replied nonchalantly.

"No, then I'll wait here with you. I will not sleep either." Darcy replied, he could not miss the chance to see something like that.

"As you wish." Lizzie shrugged her shoulder and took her old place near the fire, the night was getting colder, and she had to get the blanket out in few minutes, she thought.

After few minutes she saw Darcy standing from his place and pacing. She wanted to ask what his problem was, he was giving her a headache pacing left-right like that but thought better of it and held her tongue. After few minutes later Darcy came to Lizzie and said hastily "Miss Bennet, I do not want you to move out of my house on my regard." He was thinking about it for last few minutes, it would definitely be easier for him if she was not in his life but he could not ask her to leave, more like he did not want her to leave.

Lizzie looked at him curiously and said, "It's alright Mr. Darcy, don't worry about me, I'll be alright."

"Miss Bennet, I regret what I said earlier, and I want you to stay, I wish to help you." Darcy said awkwardly.

"Even after you know that I tend to overreact sometimes, make sarcastic comments, don't listen to anyone and do as I please." Lizzie said with a smile.

Darcy smiled too and said, "Yes, despite that. But I hope you will not do that in front of anyone and too often."

Lizzie laughed at that, she thought for a while and answered "Thanks for your faith in me. But I still think that it's wise to move out because clearly we don't get along too well."

Darcy was hurt by that, he was not sure that he should be happy or disappointed that he could not get along with someone like Lizzie. He said casually "If you think that would be more convenient for you to stay somewhere, where no one knows your secret and will not come to your aid than to live with someone who knows who you are and is willing to help you. Then I will gladly accept your decision."

Lizzie rolled her eyes, Darcy was more cunning and sly than she thought. How could she say no to something if he puts it like that? "Alright, I've got your point. It'll be easier for me to stay at your place after we came up with such a good cover story and all. Looks like you'll have to bear with my improper conduct a little while longer if this damn portal doesn't open tonight." Lizzie said with a crooked smile.

Darcy simply nodded but when she was not looking a smile appeared on his lips. He looked at her and she was staring at him so he politely said, "As you wish."

"I know we started on the wrong foot but I'm ready to take the high road. As a peace offering I'll stay out of your way, try to keep my temper in control and keep my cursing to totally G-rated." Lizzie offered.

"If you could do that, it would be pleasurable. But what is G-rated?" Darcy asked quizzically.

"It means, using the swear word which can be used in front of children. It implies, no swearing at all. But I'm not sure how successful I'll be with that." Lizzie said mischievously.

Darcy nodded and then added "What about you wearing a proper dress?"

Lizzie said a little loudly, "Hey, first of all I don't have the any nineteenth century dresses with me and it's not like I can just walk into a shopping mall and buy it tomorrow. And second thing, there is nothing wrong with the clothes I wear, they are decent and respectful and I'll wear my long over coat in front of all other people just for precaution." Lizzie gave up her final thought.

Darcy remembering how their earlier conversation went, cautiously said, "I understand there is nothing wrong with the clothes you own. You can wear my sister Georgiana's clothes, she is taller than you but I believe they will fit you."

"But I don't do dresses, it's not my style. If you can't see, I'll tell you that I'm little tom-boyish. Dresses are hindering and uncomfortable." Lizzie whined a little.

Darcy was not sure what to say to something like that, he had never heard anyone complaining about wearing dresses before. He looked around unsure of what to do next and how to convince her without provoking her but to his good fortune Lizzie sighed and said, "Alright, I'll wear the dress only when I've to go to town or be around other people. But I'm telling you now, I'll be wearing my clothes when I'm doing my work and experiments in the woods and nearby."

"That would be agreeable." Darcy nodded and sat a little far from her silently, now little happier with their peace agreement.

Lizzie said after few moments "I only want one thing from you in return." Darcy raised his eyebrow at that. She added "I want you to not come in my way, let me do my work in peace and quiet and stop bossing me around. I hate when people try to control me."

Darcy glared at her in amazement, when had he tried to control her or come in her way, he was only trying to help her all this time but he sighed and agreed to the conditions, their very own truce treaty.

Darcy gazed into the dark sky, watching the stars and from the corners of the sky he could see Lizzie staring at the ground where she came to this world yesterday through a portal, waiting it to open. He quietly stared at her when she was not looking, he wanted to ask so many things from her but stopped himself, they just had an agreement that they will stay away from each other's way and he did not want to disturb her, he was actually enjoying looking at her in silence, the way she tilted her head a little thinking something, deep in her thoughts, the way she was looking at the sky and sighing. Sometimes she was playing with her zip in the jacket and sometimes with just her scarf and fingers. He was not sure why but he was happy just sitting there watching her and his eyelids started to droop a little, his head felt heavy and he was not sure when he fell asleep, unsure that she would be there in the morning or will travel back to her world in the middle of the night.


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